Adhesive applicator for a can labeling machine



Jan. 16, 1962 J.J.MATT1NGLY ETAL 3,017,311

ADHESIVE APPLICATOR FOR A CAN LABELING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 20, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan, 16, J. J. MATTlNGLY ETAL ADHESIVE APPLICATOR FOR A CAN LABELING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 20, 1955 2 Sheets-Shree?l 2 INVENTORS. JOHN J. MATTINGLY RALPH J. MATTINGLY, DECEASED BY RICHARD R. MATT|NGLY, EXECUTOR BY /fM/w ATTORNEY to each label as it is Withdrawn United States Patent 'Tlf Intl. Original application `lan. 20, 1955, Ser. No. 483,074, now Patent No. 2,363,403, dated Ian. 13, 1959. Divided and tlns application Dec. 24, 1958, Ser. No. 782,833

11 Claims. (Cl. 156-357) The present invention appertains in general to labeling machines and more particularly to an apparatus for applying an'adhesive to labels in a labeling machine.

This application is a division of U.S. application Serial No. 483,074, iiled January 20, 1955, and issued January 13, 1959, as Patent No. 2,868,403, for Can Labeler.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved adhesive applicator for a can labeling machine.

Another' object is to provide a glue bar that reduces the tendency for labels to stick to parts of a labeling machine.

Another object is toprovide an adhesive applicator that supplies a uniform quantity of adhesive material to successive labels in a stack.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adhesive applicator that operates when successive cans advancing through' a labeling machine are spaced in a predeterminedrelationship. Y

Another object is to provide an adhesive applicator that operates in response to the iiow of cans through a can labeling machine and applies adhesive to the lap end of a label.

Another object is to provide an adhesive applicator for a can labeling machine that is automatically raised from a position of contact with a stack of labels to an inoperative position when the flow of machine is interrupted.

Another object is to provide means for controlling the flow of glue to a glue bar of a can labeling machine so that the flow of glue to the bar is cut ol when -the movement of cans through the machine is interrupted.

Another object of our invention is the provision of improved means for applying a longitudinal glue seam from the stack of labels, eliective automatically, upon through the machine for the labels to the glue such means including means stoppage of movement of cans any purpose, to prevent sticking of applying means.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent fromy the following'description and drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a side elevation with parts in section of a can labeling machine embodying the adhesive applicatorof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the labeling kmachine illustrated in FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation with parts in section of a valve mechanism for the glue applicator of the present invention. A,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan with parts in dotted line illustrating an end portion of the glue applicator.

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line 55 of fFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a section taken along the line 6 6 of FIG. 4. In FGS. l and 2 of the drawings spaced apart tracks 1 and 2 are illustrated. These tracks are provided with side guides 3 along which end edges or heads of can 4 are adapted to travel, the cans being fed onto the tracksl and 2 in any suitable manner. In a canning factory, for example, the cans may be fed directly from the can sealingmeans.

cans through the lab'evzlingl 17 and 17a, respectively, the

' ting-ers thus serving as stops Mounted on the machine frame 5 is a pair of arms 6 and 7 (FIG. 2), the arms being pivoted to the frame adjacent their rear ends by means of pins 8 and 9. The arms'6 and 7 are joined together intermediate their ends by a cross bar 10, and the arms are urged downwardly in a counterclockwise direction (FG 1)' by means of springs 11 and l2 (FIG. 2) each of which is compressed between one of the arms 6 or 7 anda bracket member 13 or 14. Suitable studs, such as the studs 15 and 16 (FIG. l), are provided to maintain the springs in proper position between the arms and the bracket members. The bracket members 13 and 14 also carry depending iingers lower ends of which are inturned and adapted to engage beneath the cross bar 10. The fingers are threaded at their upper ends and are axially adjustable by means of nuts 1S and 19 (FIG. l), the limiting the counterclockwise movement of the arms 6 and 7.

At their outer ends the arms 6 and 7 carry rocker arms 20 and 21 (FIG. 2) which are mounted to rock relative to the arms 6 and 7. Rotatable shafts 22 and 23 extend between the ends of the arms and pairs of rollers 24 and 25 are mounted on the shafts 22 and 23, respectively. The pairs of rollers are fixed to the shafts and are adapted to be rotated thereby, the shaft 22 being driven by a chain 27 which passes around a. sprocket 26 keyed to shaft 2.2 and around a sprocket 28 operatively connected to the drive mechanism for the machine. A chain 29 passing around sprockets 36 and 31 serves to drive the shaft 23 from shaft 22. The rocker arms 20 and 21 are provided with angular extensions 32 and 33 bet-Ween which a shaft 34 extends. This shaft mounts a collar 35 to which one end of a shaft 36 is connected, the opposite end of the shaft extending freely beyond a bracket 37 through which the shaft passes. Springs 38 and 38a surround the shaft, one on each side of the bracket 37,

and the springs 3S and 38a are compressed between the bracket 37 and collars 39 and 39a, respectively, thereby balancing the rocker aims vand rollers in an intermediate position.

The can spacing or metering means will normally assume a position in which the rocker arms 20 and 21 and rollers 24 and 25 lie substantially parallel tothe tracks 1 and 2, and in the path of the advancing cans, as seen in llFIG. l. As the can 4a rolls down the tracks, it will first contact the rollers 24 and the momentum of the can will be suiiicient to move these rollers upwardly, thereby causing the rocker arms 20 and 21 to rock in a clockwise direction against the compression of the spring 38. The upward movement of the rollers 24 permitsthe can 4a to pass therebeneath, whereupon it contacts the lowered rollers 25 which momentarily arrest its forward movement. The can will, however, rock the rollers 25 upwardly, this time against the compression of the spring 38a, and the can will then pass beneath the -rollers 25 and on down the tracks. At lthe same time the rollers 24 are rocked downwardly into lthe path of the next adjacent can 4b, thereby momentarily arresting the forward movement of the can 4b. Once the can 4a has passed beyond the rollers 25, these rollers will be freeto move downwardly'under the influence of the can 4b urging the rollers 24 upwardly, whereupon the cycle is repeated. In this way, the cans are evenly metered in -their forward movement through the machine.

After the cans pass the spacing or metering means, they are contacted by moving belt 40 and 41 (FIG. 2) which move the cans vforwardly along the tracks 1 and 2. Suitable hold down means in the form of rollers 42 (FIG. 1) are provided to maintain the lower flights of the belts in contact with the cans; the rollers being mounted onarms, such as the arm,43, and urged into engagement with the belts by means 'of springs, such as -spring means, indicated at the spring 44. As the cans move along they pass over a glue pot 45 (FIG. 1) in which is positioned a glue applicator comprising a plurality of gluewheels 46 mounted on a rotatable shaft v47 driven by means of a chain 48 operatively connected to the machine drive. The glue wheels 46 are positioned in spaced apart relation and are adapted to apply a plurality of spaced apart spots of glue to the cans.

Since the cans are not ordinarily truly cylindrical and may have irregularities in their surfaces, the individual glue wheels are resiliently mounted so that they will contact the periphery of the cans irrespective of irregularities therein, the wheels individually compensating for any irregularities encountered in the surfaces of the cans. The glue wheels 46 and the operation thereof, are described in detail in our aforementioned copending application.

Subsequent to the application of the glue spots to the advancing cans, the cans pass over a stack of labels 60 extending upwardly between the tracks 1 and-2 and supported on a liftable platform 61 (FIG. l). The stack 60 is so arranged that the uppermost label in the stack will lie in a position to be contacted by a can passing over it and the glue spots on the can will engage the label and cause the label to adhere to the can. Continued forward movement of the can serves to wrap the label about the cylindrical surface of the can.

In order to assure proper contact between the cans and the stack of labels, we provide automatically acting means to raise the stack as the labels are removed. To this end, an opening is provided in the track 1 adjacent the leading edge of the stack and a depressible bar 62 (B1G. l) is fitted in this opening. V When the stack is in can contacting position the end edge of the can will not contact the bar 62, since the stack will lift the can just slightly above the track 1. However, as the staclc is depleted, its level will reach a point such that the cans will contact the bar 62 and cause it to be depressed. Depression of the bar 62 causes a rod 63 secured thereto to move downwardly into contact with a button 64 of .an actuating switch 65. This switch will serve to actuate mechanism (not shown) serving to lift a rack or plunger 66 which controls the movement of the liftable platform 61, thereby moving the platform upwardly a distance suiiicient to raise the upper surface of the stack above the level of the tracks 1 and 2 and into can contacting position. Suitable 67 and 63, are provided to normally bias the depressible bar 62 and the rod 63 to uppermostv position in which the upper surface of the bar coincides with the upper surface of the rail 1.

With this arrangement, the stack of labels is automatically maintained at thev proper height and the mechanism is immediately responsive to a reduction in the height of the stack suicient to permit the cans to contact the depressible bar.

Inermediate the leading and trailing ends of the stack of labels, the tracks 1 and 2 are inclined upwardly so as to raise the cans-above the rear portion of the stack so as to pass over a glue bar '70 (FIGS. 1 and 2) which rests on the rear edge of the stack and acts toappiy a transverse band of adhesive to the trailing edge of each label. As best seen in FIG. 6the glue bar is hollow and has a flattened undersurface 71 for contact with the labels, the undersurface having a plurality of perforations 72 .extending along its length to deposit adhesive 73 on the labels. The adhesive is continuously circulated through the glue bar, beingpumped through a tube 74 (FIG. l). from a reservoir 75 by a pump 76 and returned to the reservoir band of adhesive formed by the glue bar or tube '70 serves to connect the leadingV and trailing edges of the labels, the labels being of a length such that upon being wrapped around the cans their leading and trailing. edges will overlap sufiiciently to form a glue seam. In addition to. applying glue to the trailing edge of thelabels, the glue through a tube 77 (FIGS. l and 2). The

pivot plate contacts the stem bar acts to hold each label in taut condition as it is being wrapped about the can. The label will be pulled from beneath the glue bar as the forward movement of the can continues, thereby permitting the glue bar to contact and apply adhesive to the next adjacent label.

There are times, during the operation of the machine, when the cans are not fed through the machine at regular intervals and when this occurs there is a tendency for the uppermost label to stick to the glue bar with a result that it will be either torn apart or else stick in the machine. Even if the label tears free, the residue adhering to the glue'bar acts to foul the glue bar and subsequent labels do not receive the proper amount of adhesive. To remedy this situation, we have provided means which act to automatically raise the glue bar from contact with the stack of labels should the tlow of cans through the machine be interrupted for any reason.

A pair of arms 78 and 79 (FIG. 2) is rotatively counected to a cross bar S0 journalled on the machine frame, and at their ends the arms are provided with outwardly extending pins 81 (FIGS. 4 and 5) having heads 82. Slidably supported on these pins are depending ears 83 of collars 84 which surround the ends of the glue bar 70. Springs 35 are interposed between the ends ofthe arms and the depending ears, thereby resiliently mounting the glue bar relative to the arms. Curved lingers 86 and 87 (FIG. 2) are fixed to the cross bar 80 for contact with the under-surfaces of the arms 73 and 79; and a bar 89 also extends between the arms and has a spring 90 (FIG. l) secured thereto for urging the arms and the glue bar carried thereby downwardly into contact with the stack of labels.

Arocker arm 91 (FIG. l) is connected to an end of the cross bar 80, the arrangement being such that movement of the rocker arm in one direction will rotate the cross bar so as to bring the curved lingers 86 and 87 into contact with the arms 78 and 79, thereby causing them to lift the glue bar upwardly away from the stack of labels against the tension of the spring 90'.

Movement of the rocker arm 91 is controlled yby a plunger 92 which passes through a control cylinder 93 and is connected at its free end to the piston rod 94 of air cylinder 95 having a piston 96. The rocker arm 91 is normally urged away from the glue bar lifting position by a spring 97. During the normal operation of the machine, the glue bar is maintained in contact with the stack of labels by the spring 90, and the spring 97 serves to hold the arm 91 should the normal iiow of cans be interrupted, then cornpressed air will be introduced into the air cylinder 95 through a conduit 99 thereby moving the piston rod 94 and plunger 92 against the tension of the spring`97. This will cause the rocker arm 91 to move in a clockwise direction (FIG. 1), thereby raising the curved fingers 86 and 87 and causing the glue bar to be lifted from the stack of labels.

The supply of compressed air fed to the air cylinder through the conduit 99 is controlled by a valve means 100 (FIGS. 1 and 3) which, in turn, is responsive to the passage of the cans through the machine.

Referring now to FIGURE 3 of the drawings, the valve means 100 comprises a body 101 having an air chamber 102 including valve seats 103 and 104 adapted to receive the valves and 106, respectively. A passageway 107 opens into the valve seat 103 through which compressed air enters the air chamber, being supplied from a source of -air under pressure (not shown) and n entering the passageway through conduit 108. Similarly,

the valvekseat 104 is provided with a vent passageway 109.

The valves 105 and 106 are adapted to be opened by means of stems and 111, respectively, which are alternately contacted by the pivot plate 112. When the 111, the valve 106 will be opened, thereby venting `the air chamber 102 through in an inoperative position. However,

1 be closed by spring Tf; against the tension of spring 114, thereby connecting the air chamber to the intake passageway 107.

the vent passageway 109. Conversely, when the pivot plate is rocked to actuate stern 110, the valve 106 will 113 and the valve 10S will be opened Movement of the pivot plate 112 is controlled by an arm 114' which is engaged between opposed springs 115 and 116 (FIG. l) surrounding. a rod 117, the springs being engaged between stops 118 and 119. A. spring 126 urges the rod 117 to the uppermost position, in which position the valve 105 is open to thereby supply yair under pressure to the air chamber.

The rod 117 is, however, normally held in its lowermost position against the compression o spring 120 by means of the arm 121 connected at one end to the rod 117 and carrying on its opposite end a roller 122,

v the arm being pivoted intermediate its ends to a brace 123. The roller 122 is adapted to Contact the traveling belt 40, and the arrangement is such that the cans, as they move through the machine, maintain the lower ight of the belt d in sufliciently taut condition to support the roller 122 and the adjacent end of the arm 121 in a raised position, thereby lowering the opposite end of the arm and the rod 117.

l Referring now to the control cylinder 93 (FIG. l), it will be noted that the glue bar feed tube 74 is connected to one end of the cylinder in such fashion that the piston 124 will eiectively close the tube when moved to the right-most end of the cylinder. Thus, at such times as the plunger 92 acts to move the rocker arm 91 to lift the glue bar from the stack of labels, the control cylinder will shut off the flow of adhesive to the glue bar.

In the operation of the glue bar mechanism, the cans as they move `along the tracks in the normal operation of the machine will maintain the roller 122 in its elevated position, thereby holding the rod 117 in its lowermost position and maintaining the valve means d Vin the vent position. The rocker arm 91 is thus urged in a counterclockwise direction by the spring 97, thereby maintaining the ngers S6 and 87 out of contact with the arms 78 and 79 of the glue bar, the glue bar being held in contact with the stack of labels by means of the spring 90. However, should the'norrnal feeding cycle of the cans be interrupted and a; gap occur between adjacent cans, the belt 40 will sag sutiiciently to permit the roller 122 to move downwardly, being urged by the spring 120 which also acts to urge the rod 117 upwardly, thereby moving the plate 112 to its alternate position. This movement opens the valve 165 and causes air under pressure to ow through the air chamber 102 and into the cylinder 95 so as to drive the piston 96 to the right, as seen in FIG. l, thereby moving the rocker arm in a clockwise direction against the tension of spring 97. Movement of the rocker `arm in turn raises the fingers 86 and 87, thereby lifting the arms 78 and 79 which raise the glue bar away from the stack of labels. Air

pressure will be applied so long as the ow of cans is.

the normal ow is resumed, the the roller 122 lifted and the thereby closing valve 105 interrupted, but once belt 40 will be tightened, rod 117 moved downwardly,

and opening valve 106, the openingof the lattery valve acting to vent the cylinder 95 through the conduit 99, air chamber 102 and ventv rocker arm 91 for return movement under the inuence of spring 97, thereby releasing the glue bar for downward movement under the iniiuence of spring 90.

It will be understood that modications and variations of the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein maybe resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. In a labeling machine wherein cans are advanced along a path in a predetermined spaced apart yrelation Y for cutting of the how of adhesive along an edge of the label, means supporting said applicator Ifor movement between a label contacting positionY and a position removed from contact with a label, and uid responsive means operatively connected to said can advancing means and actuated when the spacingv between successive cans exceeds a predetermined amount for actuating said applicator support means to move said applicator from said label contacting position to the position removed from contact with a label.

2. In a labeling machine wherein cans are advanced along a path in a predetermined spaced apart relation and wherein a label is disposed in the path of an ad'- vancing can,` the improvement which comprises lmeans for advancing the cans along said path, ahollow bar having perforations therein for contacting the 'label to Kapply adhesive along an edge of the label, means supporting said hollow bar for movement between a label contacting position and a position removed from contact with a label, means for circulating liquid adhesive through said hollow bar, fluid responsive means con nected -to be actuated by said can advancing means and actuated when the spacing between successive cans exceeds a predetermined amount for actuating said hollow bar support means to move said hollow bar from said label contactingyposition to the position removed from contact with a label, and means effective when said hol-l low bar. is removed from the label contacting position through said hollow bar.

3. In a labeling machine wherein vcans are advanced along a predetermined path and wherein a label is disposed in the path of an advancing can, a belt for advancing the cans along said path, said belt being tensioned by the normal ow of chine and being slackened cans through said machine is interrupted, a hollow bar having perforations therein disposed adjacent said pathy for contacting the label to apply an adhesive along an edge of the label, means supporting said hollow bar for movement between a label contacting position and a position removed from contact with a label, means for circulating liquid adhesive through said hollow bar, liuid actuated means for actuatingsaid hollow bar support means t0 move said hollow bar from said label contacting position to the position lremoved from contact with a label and for cutting off the ow of liquid adhesive to said hollow bar when said bar is in a position removed from contact with a label, and valve means responsive to said belt being slackened for operating said fluid when the normal ow of yactuated means.

169.y This action releases the 4. In'a labeling machine wherein cans are advanced along a predetermined path and wherein a label is disposed in the path of an advancing can, a belt for advancing the cans along said path, said belt being tensioned by the normal ilow of advancing cans through said machine and being slackened when the normal ow of cans through said machine is interrupted, a hollowbar having perforations therein disposed adjacent said path for contac'ting the label to apply an adhesive along an edge of a labeLmeans supporting said hollow bar for movement between a label contactingposition and a position `re-` moved from contact vwith a label, means for circulating liquid adhesive through said hollow bar, aligned cylinders including pistons connected for simultaneous movement,

. means for connecting the piston ofone of said cylinders advancing cans through said 1na-..

l inders for establishing a ow of fluid thereinto, and valve means responsive to said belt being slackened and arranged to control the flow of iiuid into said second cylinder for actuating said pistons.

5. In a labeling machine wherein cans are advanced along a predetermined path and wherein a label is disposed in the path of an advancing can, a belt for advancing the cans along said path, said belt being tensioned by the normal ow of advancing cans through said machine and being slackened when the normal iiow of cans through said machine is interrupted, a hollow bar having perforations therein disposed adjacent said path for contacting the label to apply an adhesive along an edge of a label, means supporting said hollow bar for movement between a label contacting position and a position removed from contact with a label, means for circulating liquid adhesive through said hollow bar, lluid actuated means for actuating said hollow bar support means to move said hollow bar from said label contasting position to the position removed from contact with a label and for cutting off the flow of liquid adhesive to said hollow bar when said bar is in a position removed frorn contact with a label, means communicating with said iiuid actuating means for establishing a ow of fluid thereinto, valve means operative for controlling the flow of lluid into said uid actuated means, a spring loaded rod disposed adjacent said belt and actuated in response to said belt being slackened, and a pivot plate disposed adjacent said rod and actuated by said rod for controlling the operation of said valve whereby said fluid actuating means is operated when said belt is siackenech 6. In a labeling machine wherein cans are advanced along a predetermined path and wherein a label is disposed in the path of an advancing can, a belt for advancing the cans along said path, said belt being tensioned by the normal ow of advancing cans through said machine and being slackened when the normal liow of cans through said machine is interrupted, an adhesive applicator disposed adjacent said path for contacting the label to apply an adhesive along an edge of the label, support arms' connected at the free end thereof to said adhesive applicator, a cross bar mounted for rotation and connected to the proximal ends of said support arms to enable said support arms to pivot thereabout, lifting fingers iixed to said cross bar and arranged to contact the lower surfaces of said support arms, means connected to said support arms for urging said support arms to inove in a 'direction for positioning said adhesive applicator in contact with a label, a rocker arm connected to said cross bar for rotating said cross bar to move said lingers into contact with said support arms to lift said adhesive applicator in a direction for removing it from contact with a label, and fluid actuated means responsive to a change in the tautness of said belt for controlling the operation of said rocker arm.

7. In a labeling machine having means for moving cans therethrough on spaced tracks and including a stack of labels positioned in can contacting position, the combination of an adhesive applying tube having adhesive'continuously circulating therethrough and positioned to apply adhesive to an edge of the uppermost label in the `stack and movable to a position spaced from the labels,

means connected to said-adhesive applying tube and responsive to the movement of cans through the machine for moving said tube to the position spaced from the labels, aud means eiective upon the movement of said tube to stop the circulation of adhesive therethrough.

8. In a labeling machine wherein cans are moved through the machine on a spaced apart pair of tracks, and wherein a stack of labels is adapted to be supported between the tracks in can contacting position, the combination of a hollow glue bar having perforations therein for applying adhesive to the trailing edge of the uppermost label in the stack, said glue bar being movable from an operative to an inoperative position, means for continuously circulating liquid adhesive through said hollow glue bar, an air cylinder having a piston operatively connected to the said glue bar, and air valve means responsive to the movement of cans through the machine for alternatively pressurizing `and venting said air'cylinder for moving glue bar from one position to the other.

9. In a labeling machine wherein cans are moved through the machine on a spaced apart pair of tracks, and wherein a stack of labels is adapted to be supported between the tracks in can contacting position, the improvement which comprises a hollow glue bar having perforations therein for applying adhesive to the trailing edge of the uppermost label in the stack, means for moving said glue bar from an operative to an inoperative positionl said means including an air cylinder having a piston operatively lconnected to said glue bar and including valve means for alternatively pressurizing and venting said cylinder, means for continuously circulating adhesive through said hollow glue bar, a control cylinder having a piston therein effective in one position, to cut olf the ilow of adhesive to said glue bar, and means interconnecting the piston of said air cylinder with the piston of said control cylinder for joint movement, whereby the pressurizing of said air cylinder will raise the glue bar to its inoperative position and cause the piston in said control cylinder to shut otl" the flow of adhesive through said glue bar.

1G. ln a labeling machine wherein cans are moved through the machine on a spaced -apart pair of tracks, and wherein a stack of labels is' adapted to be supported between the traclssin can contacting position, the irn-A pro-vement which comprises 1a hollow glue bar having perforations therein for applying adhesive to the trailing edge of the uppermost label in the stack, said glue bar being movable from an operative to an inoperative position, means for continuously circulating liquid adhesive through said hollow glue bar, an air cylinder having a piston open.

atively connected to said glue bar, an air valve responsive to the movement of cans through the machine for alternatively pressurizing and venting said air cylinder for moving the glue bar from one position to the other, and means effective upon movement of the glue bar to the inoperative position for'cutting oit thel llow of adhesive through said hollow glue bar.

ll. in a machine for labeling cylindrical containers being advanced along a predetermined path toward a label disposed for engagement by the leading container, the combination of means for advancing the containers along said path, an applicator disposed adjacent said path in normal contact with said label to apply an adhesive along an edge thereof, means for moving vsaid applicator between its said normal label contacting position and a position out of contact with the label, and movable means engaging said container advancing means and responsive to the absence of a container engaging an adjacent portion of the advancing means for actuating said applicator mov.-

-ing means to shift said applicator-from said label contac'ting position to said position out of contact with the label.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,028,920 Reid et ai. Jan. 2s, 1936 2,171,085 Janberg Aug. 29, 1939 :1,206,964 Kimball et a1 July 9, 1940 2,354,682 Knaben et al Aug-1, 1944 2,517,395 Lewis Aug. 1, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS y723,649 Great Britain Feb. 9, 1955 

1. IN A LABELING MACHINE WHEREIN CANS ARE ADVANCED ALONG A PATH IN A PREDETERMINED SPACED APART RELATION AND THEREIN A LABEL IS DISPOSED IN THE PATH OF AN ADVANCING CAN, AND INCLUDING MEANS FOR ADVANCING THE CANS ALONG SAID PATH, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES AN APPLICATOR FOR CONTACTING THE LABEL TO APPLY AN ADHESIVE ALONG AN EDGE OF THE LABEL, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID APPLICATOR FOR MOVERMENT BETWEEN A LABEL CONTACTING POSITION AND A POSITION REMOVED FROM CONTACT WITH A LABEL, AND FLUID RESPONSIVE MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID CAN ADVANCING MEANS AND ACTUATED WHEN THE SPACING BETWEEN SUCCESSIVE CANS EXCEEDS A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT 